33/52

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Harrison: Excited to receive a trophy and medal at the end of season presentation along with all of your team.

Amelie: All dressed up and waiting for the ferry to take us into the city for your preschool teachers wedding.

Finley: Late afternoon swing.

The week got off to a promising start with the house being sickness free but it wasn't to be and by the end of the week poor Finley was suffering from a high temperature for days and pretty miserable.

Harrison's Scholastic book order arrived on Monday - a spy kit complete with a special code book, compass and secret market pens.  Harrison and Amelie have had a ball dressing up like spies all week.

It was Harrison's last day of soccer on Saturday and he played really well, he's come so far with his ball skills over the season.  All the kids got a trophy and medal at the presentation after the game and he enjoyed a shared picnic with his team.

Amelie and I were invited to the wedding of one of her preschool teachers on Saturday afternoon so we caught the ferry into Darling Harbour where the ceremony was being held.  She was really excited to get dressed up and see Amanda in her pretty white dress.  Thankfully the rain held off until after the wedding and photos.

Finley has started pulling himself up on the furniture and is very proud of himself.  Quite handy to now be able to reach the things his brother and sister used to be able to keep out of his reach on the couch. He's trying to say book and 'moo' for cow when we read one of his books, so cute!

We're counting down the days until my sister arrives with her 10 month old baby for a week, it's going to be so lovely for the cousins to hang out.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 1st Birthday Party!

Finley turned one four weeks ago and we celebrated his special birthday with a Very Hungry Caterpillar party.  A favourite book in our house and one he has come to know and love.
We were very lucky to have my Mum visiting from New Zealand to share in the day and celebrations (and help with the party prep! - thanks Mum!)
The birthday boy got very spoilt and loved his first taste of birthday cake!
We're looking forward to watching him grow and move into the toddler stage over the next year.

32/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Harrison: In your element exploring the cliff top and views.

Amelie: Just as excited as Harrison about exploring the cliffs, you have no fear and making Mummy nervous getting close to the edge on numerous occasions!

Finley: Fun times on the swing while Mummy gets the washing in.

A day trip to Cape Solander in Botany Bay about an hours drive from Sydney to see if we could see any whales migrating north.  We were able to see a few spouting water in the distance and then just as we were about to leave we saw a couple breech in the distance which was great.  The cliffs are so spectacular and we had an awesome time have lunch on them and then exploring on a walk along the cliff top.

Baking & eating Passionfruit Melting Moments biscuits were a highlight in the household this week and being so popular we made another batch to share when we met up with old friends from New Zealand on the weekend for lunch.

The sickness has nearly gone so hoping that is the last lot of colds for the winter - fingers crossed!

31/52

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Harrison: You're soccer mad at the moment.  You loved watching all the soccer world cup games and play indoor soccer everyday.  Unfortunately there are only a couple of games left of the season for your club soccer.

Amelie: Our beautiful ballerina kitted out in all the gears.

Finley: Even though you've been sick you've been very happy with smiles for everyone.

Another quiet week in the house with all of us still sick with nasty colds.

Once again teeth were coming and going with the boys all in the same week! Finley's 11th tooth cut through and Harrison pulled out his 5th tooth!

Harrison did well at school receiving a merit certificate at school assembly, his 3rd of the year and only one to go until he get's a gold award so he's pretty excited.

One of Amelie's best buddies was back at preschool after a month away on holiday with his family so she was excited to play Mummy's and Daddy's with him again - too cute!

Finley has been saying his version of 'hello' this week but it is pretty clear and lovely to see him getting excited to communicate.

Call us adventurous or call us crazy but we booked a campervan holiday for the next school holidays travelling around Tasmania for 10 days! We know it will be tough at times but are really looking forward to the adventure as a family and flexibility it will bring.  We can't wait and are busy researching our itinerary.

30/52

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Harrison: I just love the way you look after your little brother, always there to lend a helping hand or play with him.

Amelie: In her element baking and decorating gingerbread men.

Finley: One year and one week old and already looking so much older! Loving your new truck you got for your birthday and saying Brmm Brmm, so cute!

A much quieter week for us this week to relax a bit after what seems like a crazy few months.  In doing so we've all ended up sick this week so thankfully we were able to rest up.

Our Mainly Music group had a mid winter Christmas party on Saturday night so we all had a lovely evening with friends and lots of Christmas food! An amazing ham with all the trimmings.

Finley has been starting to make out some sounds/words that are very deliberate when he uses them.  This week he's been saying 'more' when eating! he loves playing with balls so he is making a sound very similar to 'ball'  I've got out some of Harrison's cars from  when he was Finley's age and he is loving them as well as a few he got for his birthday so 'Brmm brmm' is coming along nicely!

29/52

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Harrison: An awesome new head piece from Grandma, he was in his element playing cowboys and indians each day after school.

Amelie: Digging in to the party food!

Finley: Our big one year old, happy birthday gorgeous boy!

A wonderful week full of family, friends, party prep and celebrations!

It was so nice to have my Mum visiting from New Zealand for Finley's first birthday.  Amongst the busyness we still found time for a bit of shopping and the kids loved having Mum here to be part of the regular week & her doing the school/pre-school drop offs and pickups, bonus for me to getting to have a wee break from that!

A bit of drama the day before the birthday boy turned one.  He found a piece of washi (craft) tape on the ground that had accidentally dropped when we were making some little flags for some of the party food.  He choked on it giving us a terrible fright.  We hadn't seen what he had picked up so after a visit to the Doctor he sent us straight to the Emergency department at the Children's hospital.  After the morning at the hospital and two x-ray's later  we were sent home as they couldn't find anything in the x-rays (I've now learnt that plastic doesn't show up in x-rays!).  The day after his birthday when changing his nappy we found the culprit, a large triangle of washi tape!  Thankfully he was all ok but it sure was terrifying at the time.

On Saturday our baby boy turned one! we can't believe how quickly this year has flown by.  He is such a happy, placid little fellow who has a cheeky side to him and makes us laugh so much.  Bringing joy to  all of our lives we are truly blessed to have him in it.
Present opening was very exciting, especially the paper!  A pancake stack for lunch and then the party guests arrived for an afternoon of fun.  He had a Very Hungry Caterpillar themed birthday as he loves the book.  He loved everyone singing him happy birthday and getting to eat his first piece of cake!
(Photos from the party coming soon!).

28/52

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Harrison: Na na na na na na na na  Batman!

Amelie: Very proud of herself climbing to the top of the climbing frame for the first time!

Finley: There's no stopping him now!








A week late with this post sorry!

Last week of the school holidays with lots of play dates with friends and a mountain of holiday washing to catch up on!
Can't believe my baby will be one next week!  We've been counting down the days until Grandma arrives from New Zealand to join in the celebrations!